Title: Residents of Jerusalem
Contents
< The inhabitants of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 11:1-24)
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< Dear saints! The Israelites rebuilt Jerusalem under Nehemiah's leadership, but there were no inhabitants in Jerusalem. During that time, many people were in Jerusalem when the city of Jerusalem was being built and when the holy assembly was gathered. But now each of them went back to his city and his village, and Jerusalem was empty. There were not enough men to defend Jerusalem. Even the walls that were so hard to build were useless. Jerusalem was plundered by the enemies, and even the temple was in danger of being destroyed. So Nehemiah was forced to repopulate the people of Israel. This morning, I would like to share the grace of thinking about "the inhabitants of Jerusalem."
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I. Why did you not want to live in Jerusalem?
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< The people of Israel did not want to live in Jerusalem.
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II. Who became the inhabitants of Jerusalem?
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< The leaders of the first people. "The leaders of the people dwelt in Jerusalem" (verse 1). Nehemiah and the leaders of the people dwelt in Jerusalem. This is where the leaders dwelt, taking all risks and insecurities. It was an example of an example. It is cowardly as a leader to go to the countryside because it is difficult and dangerous to live in Jerusalem. Leaders must set an example and lead by example. You must bear the cross. It is deserving of condemnation for the leaders of society to evade taxes, evade military service, and hoard money illegally. We Christians are leaders. Please keep in mind that God has established you as a leader in this society in this age. We must set an example, lead by example, and bear the cross.
< Those who were chosen by lot from among the second people. A tenth of the people of Israel were chosen by lot to live in Jerusalem. These are people specially chosen by God. He received a special blessing and became a resident of the holy city of Jerusalem. Everyone! We are God's chosen people. We were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, and we became children of God. And we have been chosen to be servants of the church. Church officers, Sunday school teachers, choirs, and church permanent offices are specially chosen. Elders, ordained deacons, and priests were elected by the members of the congregation at the congregational meeting. It was drawn by lot. We should be thankful that we were chosen as God's children and ministers of the church.
< Third volunteers. They obeyed with a grateful heart because they were glad and thankful that they were chosen by lot among those who were chosen by lot from among the people as the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Lots were cast, but some did not volunteer. The faithless and cowardly person did not volunteer. Only the warriors of faith volunteered. Those who were cast by lot but did not volunteer did not become residents of the holy city of Jerusalem. You have lost this blessing, this privilege of being a resident of the holy city. It's really sad. When Nehemiah numbered the Israelites in Nehemiah 7, there were 42,360 Israelites. One tenth, 4,236 people were cast by lot for the inhabitants of Jerusalem. But according to 11:3 and below, the number of people who actually became Jerusalem residents was 3,044. So where did the 1,192 go? They were chosen by lots but did not become citizens of Jerusalem because they did not volunteer. You must have a willing heart. When Moses built the tabernacle, he called anyone he wanted. (Exodus 36:2) “Not out of necessity, but voluntarily, according to the will of God” (1 Peter 5:2).
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Ⅲ. Consider the beliefs of volunteers
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< First, I was sure of God's promise. I believed in God, though it was unsettling to live in Jerusalem where the enemies were attacking me. The God who brought them back from the Babylonian captivity as promised! God who built the temple and restored the city of Jerusalem! I was sure that this God would protect and protect the holy city of Jerusalem. “I will be a wall of fire all around, and I will be a glory in the midst of it, says the Lord” (Zechariah 2:5). God was convinced that Jerusalem would be a wall of fire all around. Who can harm God Himself becoming a wall of fire? Jerusalem is safer than anywhere else in the world. “God dwells in the city, and it will not be moved” (Psalm 46:5) Beloved! May Jehovah God be sure to be our fire wall today. May you be sure that Jehovah God dwells among us today and is with us.
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< Dear friends! New Jerusalem! Doesn't your heart swell just thinking about it? A place where there is no sorrow or tears, no parting or death, no war or pain. It is a place where a house decorated with jasper, a road paved with gold, a river of the water of life flows, and the fruit of the tree of life grows according to seasons. A place filled with the glory of God, a place where we can live with our beloved Lord forever and ever. We are to become residents of this New Jerusalem. I hope that you will become the saints who wish for this New Jerusalem and fulfill the duties and missions entrusted to you with a willing heart, a happy heart, and a grateful heart today.